Pair fill void left by Tinoisamoa
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
If the University of Hawai'i football team's pretty-please wish had come true, Pisa Tinoisamoa still would be the Warriors' starting weakside linebacker.
But Tinoisamoa, who turned down a chance to return for a fourth season, now starts for the St. Louis Rams.
CURNAN
"Pisa's a great ballplayer, and we knew it would be really hard to fill his shoes," said his successor, Ikaika Curnan, a third-year sophomore from Saint Louis School.
But Curnan, who has fully recovered from a torn medial collateral ligament in his right knee, and Lincoln Manutai, a junior college transfer and Kahuku High graduate, have developed into dependable defenders. In a 41-21 victory over Rice last Saturday, Curnan made a team-high 10 tackles.
"I feel good out there," Curnan said.
Curnan played right inside linebacker in the specially designed 4-4 defense for the Rice game. He will play outside linebacker when the Warriors switch back to the 4-3 alignment for Saturday's game at Tulsa.
Manutai has been told he will be used extensively this week. Although he played middle linebacker in high school and junior college, he welcomed the move to outside linebacker.
"It's better because you don't mess with the (offensive) linemen and all of that rubbish that happens," Manutai said.
Manutai hopes to parlay a successful season into a scholarship. He said he relies on a student loan, financial aid and assistance from his parents to pay for his tuition, meals and school expenses.
Manutai said he was given his unique first name because he was born in a Lincoln car. "Most people think I got it from Abraham Lincoln," he said. "They laugh when I tell them the real story. It's cool. Maybe if we had a Hummer back then, they would have named me 'Hummer.' "
• Idled American: Defensive back Gary Wright said he readily relinquished his dream of auditioning for "American Idol" because of the Warriors' road trip this week.
Wright, who has two mid-term examinations this week, said: "This is my senior year. I can't miss any practices. I've got to go on the road, be with the fellas for my last year. ... School and football mean a lot more to me than trying out for 'American Idol.' "
The popular television show is holding tryouts at Aloha Stadium, where Wright already has performed. During pre-game introductions, Wright entertains UH fans with his animated dance moves.
"It's all in fun," he said. "If you can't be relaxed out there, you shouldn't be out there."
• Moe culpa: Tanuvasa Moe apologized for the errant long snap that sailed past punter Kurt Milne and led to a Rice touchdown last Saturday.
Moe said he has spent more time with his linebacker chores and "I've been sort of slacking on my responsibility" as a long snapper.
At 220 pounds, Moe is the lightest starting snapper in the Western Athletic Conference. His quickness and UH's punt alignment — upback Chad Kapanui blocks the interior rusher — enables Moe to lead the charge toward the returner.
"Usually, the snapper is the last one down," Moe said. "I think the coaches like me because I try to get down there as fast as I can."
A long snapper, like a dictator's food taster, is a job few youngsters dream of pursuing. "Nobody plans on doing this," said Moe, who agreed to the tryout after learning it could lead to a berth on the 60-player travel roster.
• Justin time: Two years and seven months after signing a letter of intent, Justin Faimealelei is a UH football player.
Faimealelei, a 2001 Kaimuki High graduate, met the academic and medical requirements to join the Warriors. Somewhat out of shape, Faimealelei is expected to redshirt this season.
At Kaimuki, he played quarterback, wide receiver, safety, linebacker, punter, placekicker and kick returner.
Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051.
